The album moves from infatuation and jealousy to lust and betrayal to real, young love. And it does so with not just the best of intentions-- feminism, anti-homophobia, artistic experimentation-- but also, in the storytelling style of the Streets or Sweden's Hello Saferide, a set of distinctive, well-crafted songs that should strike a chord with self-deprecating teens and twentysomethings.

Not only has the sound been plumped up with girl-group strings--for which thank producer Bernard Butler--she's been listening to Bikini Kill and Sonic Youth and is consequently far more daring a writer and singer.

My Best Friend Is You hasn't got the immediate freshness of Made Of Bricks, and it can make for a disorientating, uneven listen at times. Yet it's never anything other than compelling and demonstrates that, despite what a lot of people thought when she first appeared, that Kate Nash could well be around for a good few years yet.

Nash is at her best here when she's following The Pipettes back to girl groups' heyday, and while it doesn't end with the bang that it starts with, My Best Friend Is You will make most people wish that their post-teen angst sounded this good.

Disappointingly, she doesn't go all the way with this new, abrasive approach. Instead, she lets ex-Suede guitarist and Duffy mastermind Bernard Butler smother the album with corny string and brass sections that try but fail to impose a 60s girl-group aesthetic.

Nash is at her best when she brings that vicious bite into what might otherwise sound like a pop trifle....When she rebels a bit too aggressively against pop conventions, though, Nash gets herself into trouble.

The hit-and-miss nature of her words wouldn't be so noticeable if the music was more of a distraction. But the skittering sub-Motown fare accompanying much of this album fails to muster a chorus worth savouring.

It feels like a definite upgrade for her, Kate Nash deluxe, courtesy of producer Bernard Butler's expectedly lavish touches. But her standard style of outloud diary readings are not privy to the same overhaul. They prevent it from feeling like much of a progression.

this is **** comparing to her amazing debut, what happenedthis is **** comparing to her amazing debut, what happened kate????///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// worst album ever...…Full Review »

My Best Friend is You, the sophomore album by Kate Nash, is a great example of how an artist can mature, after taking a break, writing songsMy Best Friend is You, the sophomore album by Kate Nash, is a great example of how an artist can mature, after taking a break, writing songs and taking inspiration, this is the result. Lead single 'Do Wah Doo' shows a mix of the 60's sound, borrowed from The Shirelles, The Supremes and many others, and her very own style of piano pop. With a surprising subtlety leading up to the climax of the song when Nash lets out 'Well I think she's a **** The song oozes jealousy and underlying emotion camouflaged in the cheery piano/trumpet accompaniment. In tracks such as 'I Just Love You More', 'I've Got a Secret' and 'Take me to a Higher Plane' Nash shows her alter ego, in these tracks, Nash shows the personality (and voice) of a rock goddess, but still allows herself to be seen accessible through the simplicity of her lyrics and the messages these songs carry. Opening track 'Paris' takes a nod back to 'Made of Bricks', the somewhat pessimistic track about losing friends and growing up in general leads us into a false sense of bliss with the strong, vibrant piano lead. Second single 'Kiss that Grrrl' once again, takes a nod to the 60's sound with the strong surf guitar accompaniment. The lyrics show a somewhat humorous view of a failing relationship, on the same note as previous hit 'Foundations', once again, the story is of a girl getting jealous of another, and this is Nash's own fairy tale, the chorus however, shows the strength and bluntness that her personality can hide, 'Kiss that girl and I will shrink up, and I will cry and I will think up, a thousand ways that I can hurt you, and you will never touch my hand' through this she releases the feminist lying within, showing that a woman can win over a man. The later track 'Later On', the third single from the album, 'Early Christmas Present' and 'Pickpocket' almost blend together. The mood is somewhat killed by track 'You were so Far Away', the theme of the song is unclear and I am sad to say it lets the album down a bit. Nevertheless, the album is picked up by 'I hate seagulls', an acoustic track reminiscent of 'Birds' (excuse the pun), and at the end is a secret bonus track, also acting as the title track, all in all, a great album, which I highly recommend. Highlights are 'Paris', 'Do Wah Doo' and 'Early Christmas Present'.…Full Review »